Fun Loving Fennel

Don't be afraid of fennel! Otherwise known as anise, this lovely food has a mild licorice flavor that is perfectly delicious with almost any fish.

Native to the Mediterranean, Fennel is a plant species in the genus Foeniculum. Say that ten times fast!
All fennel varieties have feathery leaves and yellow flowers. The variety that we are most familiar with and you've seen the bulb in the produce section, is the Florence fennel, Finocchio.

Aside from the sweet bulb that is so tasty either raw or in your favorite stir fry, fennel is an herb, and every part is edible. You can use its leaves, seeds, flowers and bulb for cooking and for brewing teas and tinctures.

Fennel has many healing qualities. It offers support for digestion and indigestion, as well as, congestion in the chest and sinuses. If you're going out on a date, eat fennel beforehand, it will definitely give you fresh breath!

There are many many micro nutrients, digestive enzymes and vitamins in fennel and you will be a winner each time you eat it. It is high in antioxidants, phytonutrients and Vitamin C which we all need for immune system support. Plus, if you need fiber in your diet bring on the fennel...

Here are two quick and easy fennel recipes that you can prepare in the blink of an eye.

Simply saute sweet yellow onions and sliced fennel in coconut oil. Saute on medium heat for ten minutes. Add a little sea salt and cracked pepper. Serve with baked salmon and brown rice.

And the old standby...
1 large fennel bulb - Very thinly sliced
Avocado chunks (2 avocados should do it)
1 large orange peeled and sliced up beautifully.
Mix with your favorite dressing.
I use apple cider vinegar, extra virgin olive oil and Bragg Liquid Amino flavoring - in that order.

Store fennel in your fridge for no more than 5 days as it does begin to lose its flavor. If I have to, I find that keeping the bulb in a sealed bag is best, though I usually use my vegetables within one day of bringing them home from the store.

Prepare a fennel dish for your family this week! Why not...